Reporting Sexual Violence July 2021 Monthly News Brief
This Monthly News Brief bears testimony to the brave survivors who speak about sexual violence by state bodies or conflict actors. Most events of sexual violence are never reported. This compilation is neither complete nor representative of the extent or nature of sexual violence in general. It brings together dispersed accounts about survivors from around the world who broke the silence. Visit our website for more information.
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Reporting Sexual Violence By state bodies or conflict actors that particularly targets IDPs and refugees, aid, health workers or educators or students among others. Africa Central African Republic Around 26 June 2021: In Boali town, Ombella-M’Poko prefecture, at least 11 women, including 10 young girls, were raped by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group. Source: Corbeau News
09 July 2021: In Ippy town, Ouaka prefecture, a mother and her 17-year-old daughter were raped by national military soldiers (FACA) at a checkpoint. After the attack, the perpetrators gave the daughter money and instructed her to buy antibiotics. Source: Corbeau News
09 July 2021: In Kaga-Bandoro town, Nana-Grébizi prefecture, a 14-year-old girl was gang-raped by three FACA soldiers in a forest close to the victims’ home. The girl was taken to hospital by her parents after the assault. Source: Corbeau News
11 July 2021: In Kparé village, Ouham-Pende prefecture, several women were raped by Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) rebels during an attack on the village. Source: Radio Ndeke Luka
As reported on 12 July 2021: In PK8 IDP Camp, Bambari town, Ouaka prefecture, a 50-year-old woman was attacked by a man with a machete who attempted to rape her. Source: UNFPA
As reported on 12 July 2021: In PK8 IDP Camp, Bambari town, Ouaka prefecture, a 12-year-old girl was raped by her uncle inside the camp. The man is reportedly in jail. Source: UNFPA
As reported on 12 July 2021: In PK8 IDP Camp, Bambari town, Ouaka prefecture, a 14-year-old girl was raped by a 56-year-old man whilst she was returning from the field. The girl’s father filed a complaint against the man and he is currently in jail. Source: UNFPA
13 July 2021: In the 3rd arrondissement of Bangui city, the wife of an ex-leader of the Union for Central African Renewal (URCA) was raped and beaten by a gendarmerie commando during an attack on her husband. Source: ACLED1
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Democratic Republic of the Congo 06 July 2021: In Kanyamisambi village, Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, four girls were kidnapped and raped by armed men. A man was also killed and a boy kidnapped alongside the girls. A ransom was demanded for the hostages’ release. Source: Kivu Security
11 July 2021: In Kabaya/Rumangabo village, Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, five girls between the ages of 12 to 21 were abducted and raped by four armed men as they returned from the market. After three days they were ordered to contact their relatives to negotiate their release after a ransom was paid. Source: Agenzia Fides
15-16 July 2021: In Nduko area, Lubero territory, North Kivu province, two girls were raped by armed men during an incursion in several localities, including Musimba area. The perpetrators also engaged in looting. Source: Radio Moto
20 July 2021: In Kaniro village, Masisi territory, North Kivu province, at least six women were abducted from their homes and raped in nearby bushes by pastoralists from the Lukochu area. A nurse at the Kaniro clinic, where the women received medical care, stated that the frequency of abductions and sexual assaults committed by pastoralists in the area has become very concerning. Source: La Prunelle
21 July 2021: In Moboko center, Fizi territory, South Kivu province, a female refugee from Burundi was raped by armed men wearing military uniforms. The perpetrators also stole the victim’s money. The victim was taken to a clinic in Mboko in very critical condition. Source: La Prunelle
Ivory Coast 07 July 2021: Between Broukro and Kotogouanda village, on the road between Bondokou and Koun Fao, 22 women returning home on a minibus were ambushed and raped by armed perpetrators in the early evening. The minibus, along with other cars, was forced to stop on the road due to a broken- down vehicle ahead, after which a group of men carrying kalashnikovs, machetes and clubs appeared from the bushes. The perpetrators subsequently beat and raped the women and looted their belongings as well as belongings from passengers in the other cars. Source: Afrique sur 7
Nigeria 14 July 2021: In Sagon Alhaji Garbe, Sagon Bello, and Bugun village, Gummi LGA, Zamfara state, several women were raped by Alin Fade militia during attacks on the villages. The perpetrators threatened the victims to choose between rape or losing their families. The assault lasted throughout the day. Source: HumAngle
29 July 2021: In Birnin Yero community, Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara state, several women were raped by Dankarami militants during an attack on the village which lasted throughout the night. Seven civilians were killed during the attack, five others were wounded, and shops and belongings were looted. Source: HumAngle Asia Bangladesh Around 2 July 2021: In Barisal city, Barisal Sadar upazila, Barisal district, a woman was sexually harassed and tortured by police officers whilst in custody in Wazipur police station. Six people, including three police officers, were subsequently charged with torture and sexual harassment. Source: Dhaka Tribune
Kyrgyzstan 03 July 2021: In Besh-Kungey village, Alamudun district, Chui region, a woman was sexually assaulted by a male officer of the State Committee for National Security in his car. The authorities opened a criminal case for attempted rape. Source: ACLED1
Myanmar As reported on 01 July 2021: In Rakhine state, there has been an increase of IDP women experiencing sexual abuses and rape while inside IDP camps or when leaving the camps in search
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2 of food. According to the Rakhaing Women’s Initiative Organisation (RWIO), nearly 30 women have been raped between this January and June. There has also been an estimated seven cases of child rape in Rakhine State so far this year. Sources: BNI Online, Development Media Group, and Radio Free Asia
As reported on 15 July 2021: In Kyauktaw Township, Rakhin state, a minor girl was raped inside an unspecified IDP camp. Source: BNI Online
14 July 2021: In Bhamo district, a female ethnic farmer went missing on 14 July 2021 after leaving for the family’s farming fields. Her body was found the following day in a nearby forest and showed several stab wounds. The victims’ family filed a complaint the following day against three soldiers, and the Myanmar military later stated that they accidentally killed the victim during an altercation. The Myanmar military referred to the case as a murder, but the victims’ husband stated she was raped. Kashi State Women Network (KSWN) has called for the case to be tried in international court. Sources: BNI online, Kachin News and Radio Free Asia
Middle East and North Africa Egypt As reported on 05 July 2021: In Cairo city, a 29-year-old woman was subjected to three separate invasive searches after being arrested for protesting in 2018. The first incident occurred whilst in police custody by a female inspector, the second incident occurred in a public hospital in front of a male doctor and a group of officers and the third incident occurred whilst in prison by a prison guard. Source: The New York Times
As reported on 05 July 2021: In an undisclosed location, a woman who reported being raped was subjected to invasive searches with medical instruments without consent and explanation by at least five state medical personnel from the Forensic Medicine Authority, the office responsible for medical exams in criminal cases. Source: The New York Times
As reported on 05 July 2021: In an undisclosed location, a transgender woman was arrested in 2019 for protesting where she was subjected to an invasive search by medical personnel in a public hospital, in front of a police officer who insisted on attending the medical exam after the woman objected. Following the medical exam the police officer grabbed her and sexually harassed her whilst escorting her back to a police station. The lawyer representing the woman said she had represented at least two other clients who had undergone similar exams to determine their gender and sexual orientation. Source: The New York Times
As reported on 05 July 2021: In Al-Qanater prison, Al-Qanater Al-Khairia city, Qalyubia Governorate, a female journalist was sexually assaulted after being arrested by two plainclothes officers in April 2018. The woman was sexually assaulted in two separate incidents. The first time by a male police officer during interrogation and a second time when she entered prison, where she was forced to strip and was assaulted by a female officer. At least two other inmates in the prison reported being stripped and sexually assaulted during searches. Source: The New York Times
10 July 2021: In Cairo city and governorate, the Egyptian government denied a report by the New York Times which documented at least a dozen women who were sexually violated by state authorities in police stations, prison and hospitals whilst in the country’s justice system. Source: The New York Times
Libya Between January 2021 and May 2021: In Tripoli city, according to a July 2021 report by Amnesty International at least six women have reported a pattern of sexual violence and harassment against women and girls being detained in Shara al-Zawiya detention centre. The women were raped or coerced into having sex with the guards in exchange for their release or other essentials such as clean water. Source: Amnesty International
As reported on 27 July 2021: In Zuwara city, Nuqat al-Khams district, Tripolitania region, a 24- year-old Malian asylum-seeker reported being raped and beaten during the six month she was held
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3 in a Libyan government-affiliated detention centre. She also reported witnessing other women and girls getting raped in the centre. Source: The New Humanitarian
As reported on 27 July 2021: In Tripoli city and district, Tripolitania region, a 22-year-old Malian asylum-seeker was repeatedly raped by at least two or three men while in a Libyan Government- affiliated detention centre after being arbitrarily arrested by Libyan authorities. She also reported not having access to drinking water and having to drink water out of a toilet. Source: The New Humanitarian
As reported on 27 July 2021: In an unspecified location, a 23-year-old asylum seeker from West Africa reported being raped and beaten multiple times while being held in a Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) affiliated facility. Source: The New Humanitarian The Americas Colombia 28 June 2021: In Medellin, a 15-year-old girl was raped by an Esmad police officer during anti- government protests. Source: Abolition Media Worldwide
Around 08 July 2021: In Bogota city, Bogota district, a woman reported that members of First Line (Primera Linea) forced her to undress and stand in the wetlands. She was subsequently beaten, verbally abused, and her clothes were smeared. The victim stated she was punished for allegedly having sexual relations on the Pedagogical University campus the day before. Several young women have accused First Line members of sexual abuse and mistreatment. Source: RCN Radio
Cuba 11 July 2021: In Cotorro municipality, La Habana, La Habana province, several prisoners in a juvenile prison were sexually assaulted by prison guards. Source: ACLED1
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This Monthly News Brief comprises publicly reported cases of sexual violence by law enforcement bodies, conflict related sexual violence, and sexual violence that targets IDPs / refugees or vulnerable beneficiaries. It is published by Insecurity Insight and prepared from information available in local, national and international news outlets and online databases.
Insecurity Insight. 2021. Reporting Sexual Violence Monthly News Brief, July 2021. Switzerland: Insecurity Insight. https://bit.ly/July2021SVMNB
1 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) database attribution policy. Accessed 05 August 2021.
Insecurity Insight – Monitoring incidents around the world affecting aid, health care, education, and protection.
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